EP2695728B1 - Device for cleaning vulcanisation moulds - Google Patents

Device for cleaning vulcanisation moulds Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2695728B1
EP2695728B1 EP13179265.7A EP13179265A EP2695728B1 EP 2695728 B1 EP2695728 B1 EP 2695728B1 EP 13179265 A EP13179265 A EP 13179265A EP 2695728 B1 EP2695728 B1 EP 2695728B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
rail
cleaning
holding body
spray nozzle
cleaning unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP13179265.7A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2695728A1 (en
Inventor
Winfried Peschke
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Enotech GmbH
Original Assignee
enotech AG
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of EP2695728A1 publication Critical patent/EP2695728A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2695728B1 publication Critical patent/EP2695728B1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
    • B24C—ABRASIVE OR RELATED BLASTING WITH PARTICULATE MATERIAL
    • B24C1/00—Methods for use of abrasive blasting for producing particular effects; Use of auxiliary equipment in connection with such methods
    • B24C1/003—Methods for use of abrasive blasting for producing particular effects; Use of auxiliary equipment in connection with such methods using material which dissolves or changes phase after the treatment, e.g. ice, CO2
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
    • B24C—ABRASIVE OR RELATED BLASTING WITH PARTICULATE MATERIAL
    • B24C3/00—Abrasive blasting machines or devices; Plants
    • B24C3/02—Abrasive blasting machines or devices; Plants characterised by the arrangement of the component assemblies with respect to each other
    • B24C3/06—Abrasive blasting machines or devices; Plants characterised by the arrangement of the component assemblies with respect to each other movable; portable
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
    • B24C—ABRASIVE OR RELATED BLASTING WITH PARTICULATE MATERIAL
    • B24C3/00—Abrasive blasting machines or devices; Plants
    • B24C3/32—Abrasive blasting machines or devices; Plants designed for abrasive blasting of particular work, e.g. the internal surfaces of cylinder blocks
    • B24C3/325—Abrasive blasting machines or devices; Plants designed for abrasive blasting of particular work, e.g. the internal surfaces of cylinder blocks for internal surfaces, e.g. of tubes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C33/00—Moulds or cores; Details thereof or accessories therefor
    • B29C33/70—Maintenance
    • B29C33/72—Cleaning
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29D—PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE
    • B29D30/00—Producing pneumatic or solid tyres or parts thereof
    • B29D30/06—Pneumatic tyres or parts thereof (e.g. produced by casting, moulding, compression moulding, injection moulding, centrifugal casting)
    • B29D30/0601—Vulcanising tyres; Vulcanising presses for tyres
    • B29D30/0662—Accessories, details or auxiliary operations
    • B29D2030/0663—Mould maintenance, e.g. cleaning, washing, repairing

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for cleaning dry ice curing molds according to the independent claims.
  • Car tires are produced by vulcanization in heating or vulcanization presses.
  • a green tire is used in a suitable vulcanization mold and vulcanized under the action of heat and pressure.
  • the vulcanization molds consist of mold segments which together form the radial outer surface of the tire as well as the tread, the shoulder region, the sidewalls and the bead region.
  • the mold segments of the vulcanization molds are made of metal, usually of steel or aluminum and can be made, for example, by casting or by direct milling of solid materials.
  • vulcanization molds have venting valves which extend outward from the inner wall of the vulcanization mold and serve to remove air pockets formed during the vulcanization process. These valves can be given in the simplest case through holes or bushings.
  • a vulcanization mold must be cleaned of residues at regular intervals.
  • various methods have been developed over time.
  • the cleaning with dry-ice blasting in particular has here proved to be particularly advantageous because, in contrast to the known sandblasting substantially no damage to the surface of the vulcanization mold, the dry ice volatilizes after impact by sublimation and also the dry ice cleaning process allows a particularly efficient cleaning of a vulcanization mold.
  • the previously proposed in the prior art cleaning devices are still disadvantageous in some respects. For example, it has been found that with conventional dry ice cleaning devices it is difficult or even impossible to reach certain hard to reach areas in the surface of the vulcanization mold with the dry ice jet, so that sometimes certain types of vulcanization are only insufficiently cleaned.
  • the dry ice curing apparatus comprises a holding arm, a holding body connected to the holding arm, and a first spray nozzle connected to the holding body and arranged along three axes of one through the Holding body defined xyz coordinate system is linearly movable.
  • the device further comprises a first cleaning unit, with which the first spray nozzle is connected so that it along an axis, in particular a z-axis of an xyz coordinate system defined by the holding body, relative to the first cleaning unit is linearly movable.
  • the device further comprises a first rail on which the first spray nozzle or the first cleaning unit is mounted linearly movable along the first rail.
  • the apparatus may further comprise a second rail and a third rail parallel thereto, the first rail being attached to the second and third rails so as to be linearly movable along the direction of the second and third rails.
  • the first spray nozzle is rotatable about a central axis of the holding body.
  • the first spray nozzle is pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the spray nozzle.
  • the device includes a second spray nozzle, which may be formed in the same way as the first spray nozzle. It can be provided that the second spray nozzle can be moved at least along a direction of the x-y-z coordinate system, for example, the z-direction, regardless of the movement of the first spray nozzle. In particular, the second spray nozzle can also be moved along a second direction, for example the Y direction, independently of the movement of the first spray nozzle. The movement along the third direction, that is, for example, the x-direction, can then proceed, for example, between the first and the second spray nozzle in a coordinated manner, for which a concrete embodiment will be shown below.
  • the two spray nozzles are movable independently of each other, so that in this case the spray nozzles are completely independently movable. All movements can be motor-controlled, in particular using pneumatic motors.
  • the second spray nozzle can in particular also be held on a second cleaning unit.
  • the device may have a fourth rail on which the second spray nozzle or the second cleaning unit is mounted linearly movable along the fourth rail.
  • This fourth rail like the first rail, may be attached to the second and third rails in such a way as to provide the same along the direction of the second and third rail is linearly movable.
  • the fourth rail may perform a coordinated with the first rail movement, as will be seen in more detail below with reference to an embodiment.
  • the dry ice curing device comprises a holding arm, a holding body connected to the holding arm, a first cleaning unit connected to the holding body, a first spraying nozzle connected to the first cleaning unit is a second cleaning unit, which is connected to the holding body, and a second spray nozzle, which is connected to the second cleaning unit.
  • two spray nozzles initially allows a considerable shortening of the period of time for the cleaning of a vulcanization mold compared to cleaning devices with only one spray nozzle.
  • the presence of two spray nozzles can also be used in that certain, hard to reach areas of the inner wall of a Vulkanisationsform be acted upon by both spray nozzles with the dry ice jet, wherein it can be provided in particular that the two spray nozzles irradiate the area in question from different directions so that the area in question can be better cleaned. It can also be provided, for example, that hard to reach areas or valves, in particular those which are difficult to access, are acted on by both spray nozzles with the dry ice jet.
  • an x-y-z coordinate system can be defined by the holding body and the two spray nozzles can each be linearly movable along the three axes of the coordinate system.
  • both spray nozzles are each held on their respective cleaning unit in such a way that they can be moved linearly relative to it along a z-axis of the x-y-z coordinate system.
  • the two cleaning units are connected to the holding body in a manner such that they can be moved independently of one another in at least one of the three directions of the x-y-z coordinate system, such as the z-direction.
  • they are movable independently of one another with respect to two directions, for example the z- and y-Rickitung, with respect to the x-direction, however, the movement is coordinated in a certain way, as will be seen.
  • the movement takes place independently of each other in all three directions.
  • the holding body has a ring, in particular a rotary ring, as will be explained in more detail below.
  • the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit are connected with each other and with the holding body so that they can perform a coordinated rotational movement about a main axis of the holding body, in particular the coordinated rotational movement takes place in an xy plane of an xyz coordinate system.
  • the holding body can have a ring such as a rotating ring and the plane defined by the rotating ring can form the xy plane of the xyz coordinate system.
  • the main axis of the rotary ring can be the axis of symmetry of the rotary ring.
  • the apparatus further includes a first rail on which the first cleaning unit is movably mounted linearly along the first rail, and a second rail on which the second cleaning unit is movably mounted linearly along the second rail, the first rail and the second rail each extend along an x-axis of an xyz coordinate system.
  • the device further comprises a third rail and a fourth rail parallel thereto, wherein the first rail and the second rail are respectively mounted on the third and the fourth rail so as to be along the direction of the third and fourth rail are linearly movable, wherein the third rail and the fourth rail each extend along a y-axis of the xyz coordinate system and are fixedly mounted on the holding body.
  • the first spray nozzle may be pivotally mounted on the first cleaning unit and the second spray nozzle may be pivotally mounted on the second cleaning unit, in particular the pivotability of each of the two spray nozzles about one to the axis of the spray nozzle vertical axis takes place, in particular about a z-axis of an xyz coordinate system defined by the holding body.
  • the holding arm is constructed as an articulated arm, in particular as a so-called SCARA arm (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm).
  • the device further comprises a monitoring device for monitoring the position and / or orientation of the first and the second spray nozzle, wherein the monitoring device may comprise sensors with which the movements of the first and second spray nozzle and / or the first and the second cleaning unit are detectable.
  • the sensors can be designed in different ways. It can be contained on the one hand in the drive elements of the spray nozzles, the cleaning units or other moving members rotary encoder and transducer, by means of which it can be determined which way a certain element or member has covered.
  • the sensors can also be designed as contactless measuring sensors, which are fastened, for example, to specific positions of the holding body and can be designed as distance measuring sensors on a laser or ultrasound basis.
  • the device may be connected to the monitoring device, a control device, which may be configured to the position and / or orientation of the first and the second spray nozzle and / or the first and the second cleaning unit due given Setpoints to regulate.
  • the control device may, for example, also be configured in such a way that only a certain selected area of an inner wall of a vulcanization mold, for example a valve or a hard-to-reach area, is to be cleaned by the user.
  • the control device can accordingly output set values to a drive control of the elements and members to be moved and receives, at regular intervals or continuously, information signals from the monitoring device with respect to the position and / or orientation of one of the spray nozzles and / or one of the first and second cleaning units.
  • the holding body is connected by means of a rotary joint with the holding arm, so that the holding body is rotatably articulated about a rotational or central axis of the rotary joint.
  • This is particularly advantageous, since in this way the holding body and thus the elements attached to it, such as cleaning units or spray nozzles, can be approximated to the vulcanization mold from above or from below and in this case also from different directions and optionally also at oblique angles.
  • the device comprises drive units for driving the movement of the cleaning units and spray nozzles, wherein each of the drive units includes a compressed air motor.
  • compressed air motors are also contained in the further drive units of the further movable elements.
  • the device further comprises a cleaning trolley, on which the holding arm is pivotally mounted and which has a first region, in which the holding arm can be pivoted to the holding body and locked therein.
  • the cleaning cart can furthermore have a second area, in which a dry ice blasting installation is arranged.
  • a method according to the invention for cleaning vulcanization molds for tires according to a third aspect comprises the steps of providing a vulcanization mold, aligning a first spray nozzle with a first cleaning position and / or a second spray nozzle with a second cleaning position, feeding dry ice to the first and / or the second second spray nozzle, and programmatically moving the first spray nozzle and / or the second spray nozzle such that a predetermined area of an inner wall of the vulcanization mold is cleaned by one or two dry ice jets.
  • the vulcanization mold may be provided in a state in which it is installed in a heating press.
  • a predetermined temperature in particular a temperature greater than 50 ° C, in particular greater than 100 ° C, in particular greater than 150 ° C, so that the cleaning process thermally, can be supported.
  • the vulcanization mold can be removed in one of the heating press Be provided state and cleaned this state.
  • the method comprises the further step of monitoring the position and / or the alignment of the first and / or the second spray nozzle and optionally locking the position and / or orientation of the first and / or the second spray nozzle on the basis of predetermined desired values.
  • the method then optionally includes the further step of inputting coordination data identifying the area into a controller.
  • the Fig.1 shows a schematic perspective view of a cleaning device according to the first aspect.
  • the cleaning device 50 is intended to be used to clean a vulcanization mold 60 with a dry ice jet 70.
  • the cleaning mold 50 contains for this purpose a holding body 51 and a spray nozzle 52, which is connected to the holding body 51.
  • the holding body 51 may be attached to a holding arm, not shown.
  • the holding body 51 can, as shown, have the shape of a circular disk and can thus also be defined as an xyz coordinate system, in which the z-axis is parallel to the central axis of the holding body 51, and the xy plane is parallel to a plane to the main surface of the holding body 51 forms.
  • the spray nozzle 52 is linearly movable along three axes of an xyz coordinate system. It can be provided that the spray nozzle 52 is supported on a cleaning unit 53 such that it can perform a movement in the z-direction, ie perpendicular to the main plane of the holding body 51 relative to the cleaning unit 53. Furthermore, it can be provided that the spray nozzle 52 is supported on a first rail 54 in such a way that it can execute a linear movement in the y-direction along the first rail 54. Furthermore, the first rail 54 may be secured between a second rail 55 and a third rail 56 parallel thereto so that it can perform a linear movement along the second and third rails, ie in the x-direction.
  • the spray nozzle 52 may be pivotable about an axis parallel to the y-axis and passing through the longitudinal axis of the spray nozzle 52, which is indicated by the reference numeral 57.
  • the entire holding body 51 may also be designed to be rotatable about its central axis, which is indicated by the reference numeral 58.
  • the Fig. 2 shows a schematic plan view of a cleaning device according to the second aspect.
  • the cleaning device 100 comprises a holding arm 10, a holding body 20, which is connected to the holding arm 10, a first cleaning unit 30, which is connected to the holding body 20, a first spray nozzle 31, which is connected to the first cleaning unit 30, a second cleaning unit 40, which is connected to the holding body 20, and a second spray nozzle 41, which is connected to the second cleaning unit 40.
  • the holding body 20 together with the elements attached thereto is also referred to below as a cleaning head.
  • the holding body 20 can, as shown, a ring, in particular a rotary ring, have, on which the cleaning units 30 and 40 can be mounted movably in a manner yet to be shown.
  • an xyz coordinate system can be defined, wherein the plane spanned by the rotary ring defines the xy plane and the perpendicular defines the z axis.
  • the cleaning units 30 and 40 and the spray nozzles 31 and 41 attached thereto may be movably supported within the xy plane and the spray nozzles 31 and 41 may additionally be mounted on the first cleaning unit 30 and the second cleaning unit 40, respectively, in such a way that Direction are linearly movable. For this reason, the cleaning unit 30 and 40 will be hereinafter referred to as z-axis units.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 13 show in each case perspective views of a cleaning head 200, which essentially consists of a holding body 220, a first cleaning unit 230, a first spray nozzle 231 attached thereto, a second cleaning unit 240, a second spray nozzle 241 attached thereto, a first rail 245, a second rail 250, a third rail 255, and a fourth rail 260 is constructed.
  • the attached to the cleaning head 200 holding arm 210 and the spray nozzles 231 and 241 are only in Fig. 3 shown.
  • Each of the two cleaning units 230 and 240 may be mounted on a carriage, and the two carriages may be moved by means of a rail system which may be constructed of two movable rails 245 and 250 and two fixed rails 255 and 260.
  • the first cleaning unit 230 may be attached to a first carriage 232, which is only in Figure 3 is visible and designated and which can be fixed by means of guide rollers on the first rail 245 linearly movable along the rail.
  • the second cleaning unit 240 on a second carriage 242 be attached, which only in Figure 4 is visible and designated and which may also be secured by means of guide rollers on the second movable rail 250 linearly movable along the rail.
  • the two carriages 232 and 242 can move in the y-direction.
  • Each of the two carriages 232 and 242 can be driven via a pneumatic motor 233 or 243, wherein the torque of this motor via a toothed belt 234 or 244 on a threaded spindle 236 and 246 can be transmitted and a corresponding threaded nut the torque occurring in a straight directed movement in the direction of the y-axis can transmit.
  • a monitoring of the movement in the y-direction can be taken over by a rotary encoder unit, which can be attached to the end of the threaded spindle.
  • the two carriages 232 and 242 with the respectively attached cleaning units 230 and 240 can thus be freely moved independently in their respective range of motion and thus at any time two different cleaning positions can be targeted simultaneously by means of the spray nozzles 231 and 241.
  • a further compressed air motor 265 can be provided, the torque of which can also be transmitted here by means of a toothed belt wheel drive.
  • the torque may be introduced into a threaded spindle 266, which may be provided from the center in a left-hand direction and in the other direction with a corresponding right-hand thread.
  • the two y-axis systems with attached z-axis units can thus move away from each other or approach each other when the threaded spindle 266 with left-right thread in rotational Movement is offset.
  • a rotary encoder may be provided which takes over the monitoring of the removal of the two y-axis systems with the z-axis units at the end of the left-right spindle for the x-axis.
  • the holding body 220 may have a rotary ring 221, on which the entire movement system described can be mounted such that the entire movement system is designed to be rotatable by at least 350 °.
  • a further compressed air motor 367 can be used, which can transmit its force to the rotary ring 221 via a gear ratio.
  • the Fig. 4 shows a further perspective view of the cleaning head 200.
  • the holding arm 210 can be seen, to which the cleaning head 200 is attached.
  • the cleaning head 200 may be surrounded by a ring-shaped or polygonal protective wall 268, which is preferably made of stainless steel.
  • the air motors are in the view of Fig. 4 omitted.
  • the cleaning head 200 may further be attached to the support arm 210 by means of a hinge 263 through which the cleaning head 200 may be rotatable about a central axis of the pivot 263 or the support arm 210, preferably providing 180 ° rotation, which is both in the as well as counterclockwise.
  • a hinge 263 through which the cleaning head 200 may be rotatable about a central axis of the pivot 263 or the support arm 210, preferably providing 180 ° rotation, which is both in the as well as counterclockwise.
  • the cleaning head 200 can be easily approximated from above or below and also at oblique angles.
  • It can also be a clamping device Be provided 264, which prevents accidental adjustment of the cleaning head 200 when it is deflected from its 0 ° position.
  • the rotatability of the cleaning head 200 can be used, inter alia, to easily and quickly compensate for bumps in front of the heating presses.
  • a tilting device 262 can be attached to the transition between the holding arm 210 and the cleaning head 200, by means of which the cleaning head 200 can be tilted about an axis which passes through the tilting device 262 and which is perpendicular to the axis of the pivot joint 263.
  • the tilt can, for example, by a trapezoidal screw with handwheel (not shown) be mounted adjustable at an angle of about 0 ° 30 °.
  • contactlessly operating sensors (not shown), such as ultrasound or laser beam sensors, may be provided at a suitable location of the cleaning head 200, with the aid of which the precise location of the spray nozzles 231 and 241 can be determined by means of a distance determination.
  • the measurement result can then be supplied to a monitoring device, also not shown here, in which it is determined by a target / actual comparison whether the position of one or both spray nozzles must be corrected and, if appropriate, corresponding control signals must be output to one or more of the drive motors.
  • the Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a cleaning unit or z-axis unit according to those in the Figures 3 and 4 shown cleaning units 230 and 240.
  • the in the Fig. 5 designated by the reference numeral 230 cleaning unit has a spray nozzle 231, which at the end of a telescopically movable in the z-direction axis is appropriate.
  • the spray nozzle 231 may be rotatably mounted at the end of this movable axis by approximately 270 °, as indicated by the arrows.
  • the rotation can be realized by means of a pneumatic cylinder 230.1 and the force can be transmitted to the axis of the spray nozzle 231 via a toothed belt 230.2.
  • a displacement sensor can output a feedback about the current angular position of the spray nozzle 231.
  • the adjustment along the z-direction can be done by means of a compressed air motor 230.3.
  • the air motor 230.3 can transmit its torque via a toothed belt ratio 230.4 to a trapezoidal spindle, wherein the guidance of the axis in the z-direction can be done by a telescopic rail.
  • the exit depth can be monitored by a rotary encoder 230.41, which is included in the toothed belt ratio 230.4.
  • the spray nozzle 231 is connected to a feed 231.1, with which dry ice pellets 239 can be supplied, which can be emitted at the outlet end of the spray nozzle 231 during a cleaning process.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a holding arm according to an embodiment shown.
  • the holding arm 550 may accordingly be configured as a three-part articulated arm or else a so-called SCARA arm.
  • Such an articulated arm allows maximum flexibility when approaching the vulcanization mold to be cleaned.
  • At the outer, right end of the in Fig. 6 illustrated embodiment of the articulated arm 550 it is connected to a cleaning trolley, while it with the outer, left end - as already in Figure 4 was seen - is connected to the cleaning head.
  • the articulated arm 550 has three hinges 551, 552 and 553, which make it possible that the center of gravity of the cleaning head moves in a favorable range, while the Cleaning head is approximated to the vulcanization mold to be cleaned.
  • the cleaning head can be moved past in relative proximity to the cleaning cart used, so that only small lateral tilting moments occur.
  • the elements of the articulated arm may include feedthroughs 554 through which hoses and / or electrical leads may be routed from the cleaning cart to the cleaning head.
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cleaning carriage of a cleaning device according to an embodiment shown.
  • the cleaning cart 290 has a first region 291 and a second region 292, which may be separated from one another by a horizontal intermediate wall 293.
  • the first area 291 is provided so that a holding arm 210 attached to the cleaning trolley 290 can be swiveled into the first area 291 and locked therein, together with the cleaning head 220 attached thereto.
  • the second region 292 is intended to receive a dry ice blasting system 295, which in the present case contains two dry ice containers 295.1 and 295.2, which can be connected or connected to the spray nozzles via corresponding hose feeds.
  • a blower 294 for the extraction of the dry ice pellets from the dry ice containers 295.1 and 295.2 may be stored in the first region 291.
  • the second area 292 may also be a cabinet 296 for providing the power supply for the stepper motors and arranged for.
  • the units 294 and 296 can also be arranged reversed.
  • the support arm 210 may be vertically slidably mounted on a vertical rail 295.
  • FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a method for cleaning vulcanization molds for tires by means Dry ice represented by a device according to the third aspect as described above.
  • the method 80 according to Fig. 8 comprising the steps of: providing a vulcanization mold (81), aligning the first spray nozzle to a first cleaning position and / or the second spray nozzle to a second cleaning position (82), supplying dry ice to the first and / or the second spray nozzles (83), and programmatically moving the first spray nozzle and / or the second spray nozzle such that a predetermined area of an inner wall of the vulcanization mold is cleaned by one or two dry ice jets (84).
  • the vulcanization mold is provided in a state in which it is installed in a heating press.
  • the temperature of the vulcanization mold can be adjusted to a value of more than 50 ° C or more than 100 ° C. In this way, the cleaning process can be thermally assisted.
  • the vulcanization mold is provided in a state in which it is removed from the heating press.
  • the vulcanization mold is provided in a state in which it is installed in a heating press.
  • the first and / or the second nozzle is moved along all three directions of the xyz coordinate system in order to be able to aim at any desired area from an optimum cleaning position.
  • the encoders and transducers described in the above embodiments and / or contactless measuring sensors it is possible to monitor the position and / or the orientation of the first and the second spray nozzle. Additionally, the position and / or orientation of the first and second spray nozzles may be regulated based on predetermined setpoints.
  • a partial area of the inner wall of a vulcanization mold in particular a partial area having a valve or a region which is difficult to access, can be cleaned.

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Vorrichtung und ein Verfahren zum Reinigen von Vulkanisationsformen mit Trockeneis gemäß den unabhängigen Patentansprüchen.The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for cleaning dry ice curing molds according to the independent claims.

Die Herstellung von Autoreifen erfolgt durch Vulkanisation in Heiz- oder Vulkanisationspressen. Dabei wird ein Reifenrohling in eine geeignete Vulkanisationsform eingesetzt und unter Einwirkung von Wärme sowie Druck vulkanisiert. Die Vulkanisationsformen bestehen aus Formsegmenten, welche gemeinsam die radiale äußere Oberfläche des Reifens sowie den Laufstreifen, den Schulterbereich, die Seitenwände und den Wulstbereich formen. Die Formsegmente der Vulkanisationsformen sind aus Metall gefertigt, üblicherweise aus Stahl oder Aluminium und können beispielsweise durch Gießverfahren oder durch direkte Fräsverfahren aus Vollmaterialien hergestellt werden. Als weitere Besonderheit weisen Vulkanisationsformen Entlüftungsventile auf, die sich von der Innenwand der Vulkanisationsform nach außen erstrecken und die dazu dienen, beim Vulkanisationsprozess entstandene Lufteinschlüsse abzuführen. Diese Ventile können im einfachsten Fall durch Löcher oder Durchführungen gegeben sein.Car tires are produced by vulcanization in heating or vulcanization presses. In this case, a green tire is used in a suitable vulcanization mold and vulcanized under the action of heat and pressure. The vulcanization molds consist of mold segments which together form the radial outer surface of the tire as well as the tread, the shoulder region, the sidewalls and the bead region. The mold segments of the vulcanization molds are made of metal, usually of steel or aluminum and can be made, for example, by casting or by direct milling of solid materials. As a further special feature, vulcanization molds have venting valves which extend outward from the inner wall of the vulcanization mold and serve to remove air pockets formed during the vulcanization process. These valves can be given in the simplest case through holes or bushings.

Eine Vulkanisationsform muss in regelmäßigen Abständen von Rückständen gereinigt werden. Hierfür sind im Laufe der Zeit verschiedenartige Verfahren entwickelt worden. Neben einem Sandstrahl-Reinigungsverfahren, einem chemischen Reinigungsverfahren und einem Laserstrahl-Reinigungsverfahren hat sich hier insbesondere die Reinigung mit Trockeneis-Strahlen als besonders vorteilhaft erwiesen, da im Gegensatz zum bekannten Sandstrahlen im wesentlichen keine Beschädigung der Oberfläche der Vulkanisationsform erfolgt, das Trockeneis sich nach dem Auftreffen durch Sublimation verflüchtigt und außerdem das Trockeneis-Reinigungsverfahren eine besonders effiziente Reinigung einer Vulkanisationsform ermöglicht. Die bisher im Stand der Technik vorgeschlagenen Reinigungsvorrichtungen sind jedoch noch in mancher Hinsicht nachteilig. So hat sich beispielsweise gezeigt, dass es mit konventionellen Trockeneis-Reinigungsvorrichtungen schwierig bis unmöglich ist, bestimmte schwer zugängliche Bereiche in der Oberfläche der Vulkanisationsform mit dem Trockeneis-Strahl zu erreichen, so dass mitunter bestimmte Vulkanisationsformen nur unzureichend gereinigt werden.A vulcanization mold must be cleaned of residues at regular intervals. For this purpose, various methods have been developed over time. In addition to a sand-blast cleaning process, a chemical cleaning process and a laser-beam cleaning process, the cleaning with dry-ice blasting in particular has here proved to be particularly advantageous because, in contrast to the known sandblasting substantially no damage to the surface of the vulcanization mold, the dry ice volatilizes after impact by sublimation and also the dry ice cleaning process allows a particularly efficient cleaning of a vulcanization mold. However, the previously proposed in the prior art cleaning devices are still disadvantageous in some respects. For example, it has been found that with conventional dry ice cleaning devices it is difficult or even impossible to reach certain hard to reach areas in the surface of the vulcanization mold with the dry ice jet, so that sometimes certain types of vulcanization are only insufficiently cleaned.

Diesbezüglich zeigt US 592 026 eine mobile Vorrichtung, welche dafür vorgesehen ist, Vulkanisationsformen mit Hilfe eines Roboterangetribenen Trockeneis-Strahls zu Reinigen.In this regard shows US 592,026 a mobile device intended to clean vulcanization molds by means of a robotic dry ice jet.

Es ist demgemäß Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung, eine Vorrichtung und ein Verfahren zum Reinigen von Vulkanisationsformen für Reifen mittels Trockeneis anzugeben, mit welchen verbesserte Reinigungsergebnisse erzielbar sind. Insbesondere ist es Aufgabe der Vorliegenden Erfindung, eine solche Vorrichtung derart auszugestalten, dass mit ihr eine Vulkanisationsform für Reifen vollständig, d. h. auch an schwer zugänglichen Stellen, gereinigt werden kann.It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for cleaning vulcanization molds for tires by means of dry ice, with which improved cleaning results can be achieved. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to design such a device such that with it a vulcanization mold for tires completely, d. H. even in hard to reach places, can be cleaned.

Diese Aufgabe wird mit einer Vorrichtung gemäß den Merkmalen des unabhängigen Patent anspruchs 1 und einem Verfahren gemäß den Merkmalen des nebengeordneten Patentanspruchs gelöst. Vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen und Weiterbildungen sind Gegenstand von Unteransprüchen.This object is achieved with a device according to the features of the independent patent claim 1 and a method according to the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of dependent claims.

Im folgenden werden Ausführungsformen von erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsvorrichtungen im wesentlichen anhand von zwei Aspekten beschrieben. Es sei darauf hingewiesen, dass jedes Merkmal, welches nur hinsichtlich nur eines dieser Aspekte beschrieben wurde, auch bezüglich des jeweils anderen dieser Aspekte Anwendung finden kann.In the following, embodiments of cleaning devices according to the invention will be described essentially with reference to two aspects. It should be noted that any feature that has been described with respect to only one of these aspects may also apply to the other of these aspects.

Die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zum Reinigen von Vulkanisationsformen für Reifen mittels Trockeneis gemäß einem ersten Aspekt weist einen Haltearm, einen Haltekörper, welcher mit dem Haltearm verbunden ist, und eine erste Sprühdüse auf, welche mit dem Haltekörper verbunden ist und welche entlang von drei Achsen eines durch den Haltekörper definierten x-y-z-Koordinatensystems linear bewegbar ist.The dry ice curing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a holding arm, a holding body connected to the holding arm, and a first spray nozzle connected to the holding body and arranged along three axes of one through the Holding body defined xyz coordinate system is linearly movable.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung gemäß dem ersten Aspekt weist die Vorrichtung ferner eine erste Reinigungseinheit auf, mit welcher die erste Sprühdüse derart verbunden ist, dass sie entlang einer Achse, insbesondere einer z-Achse eines durch den Haltekörper definierten x-y-z-Koordinatensystems, relativ zu der ersten Reinigungseinheit linear bewegbar ist.According to one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect, the device further comprises a first cleaning unit, with which the first spray nozzle is connected so that it along an axis, in particular a z-axis of an xyz coordinate system defined by the holding body, relative to the first cleaning unit is linearly movable.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung gemäß dem ersten Aspekt weist die Vorrichtung ferner eine erste Schiene auf, an welcher die erste Sprühdüse oder die erste Reinigungseinheit linear bewegbar entlang der ersten Schiene angebracht ist. Die Vorrichtung kann ferner eine zweite Schiene und eine dazu parallele dritte Schiene aufweisen, wobei die erste Schiene derart an der zweiten und der dritten Schiene angebracht ist, dass sie entlang der Richtung der zweiten und dritten Schiene linear bewegbar ist.According to an embodiment of the device according to the first aspect, the device further comprises a first rail on which the first spray nozzle or the first cleaning unit is mounted linearly movable along the first rail. The apparatus may further comprise a second rail and a third rail parallel thereto, the first rail being attached to the second and third rails so as to be linearly movable along the direction of the second and third rails.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung gemäß dem ersten Aspekt ist die erste Sprühdüse um eine Mittelachse des Haltekörpers drehbar.According to one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect, the first spray nozzle is rotatable about a central axis of the holding body.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung gemäß dem ersten Aspekt ist die erste Sprühdüse um eine zur Achse der Sprühdüse senkrechte Achse verschwenkbar.According to one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect, the first spray nozzle is pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the spray nozzle.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung gemäß dem ersten Aspekt enthält die Vorrichtung eine zweite Sprühdüse, die in ebensolcher Weise wie die erste Sprühdüse ausgebildet sein kann. Dabei kann vorgesehen sein, dass die zweite Sprühdüse zumindest entlang einer Richtung des x-y-z-Koordinatensystems, beispielsweise der z-Richtung, unabhängig von der Bewegung der ersten Sprühdüse bewegt werden kann. Insbesondere kann die zweite Sprühdüse auch entlang einer zweiten Richtung, beispielsweise der Y-Richtung, unabhängig von der Bewegung der ersten Sprühdüse bewegt werden kann. Die Bewegung entlang der dritten Richtung, also beispielsweise der x-Richtung, kann dann beispielsweise zwischen der ersten und der zweiten Sprühdüse in einer koordinierten Weise ablaufen, wofür weiter unten ein konkretes Ausführungsbeispiel gezeigt werden wird. Es ist jedoch ohne Weiteres denkbar, dass auch bezüglich der dritten Richtung die beiden Sprühdüsen unabhängig voneinander bewegbar sind, so dass in diesem Fall die Sprühdüsen vollständig unabhängig voneinander bewegbar sind. Sämtliche Bewegungen können motorgesteuert erfolgen, insbesondere unter Verwendung von Druckluftmotoren.According to one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect, the device includes a second spray nozzle, which may be formed in the same way as the first spray nozzle. It can be provided that the second spray nozzle can be moved at least along a direction of the x-y-z coordinate system, for example, the z-direction, regardless of the movement of the first spray nozzle. In particular, the second spray nozzle can also be moved along a second direction, for example the Y direction, independently of the movement of the first spray nozzle. The movement along the third direction, that is, for example, the x-direction, can then proceed, for example, between the first and the second spray nozzle in a coordinated manner, for which a concrete embodiment will be shown below. However, it is readily conceivable that with respect to the third direction, the two spray nozzles are movable independently of each other, so that in this case the spray nozzles are completely independently movable. All movements can be motor-controlled, in particular using pneumatic motors.

Die zweite Sprühdüse kann insbesondere auch an einer zweiten Reinigungseinheit gehaltert sein. Des Weiteren kann die Vorrichtung eine vierte Schiene aufweisen, an welcher die zweite Sprühdüse oder die zweite Reinigungseinheit linear bewegbar entlang der vierten Schiene angebracht ist. Diese vierte Schiene kann ebenso wie die erste Schiene derart an der zweiten und der dritten Schiene angebracht sein, dass sie entlang der Richtung der zweiten und dritten Schiene linear bewegbar ist. Die vierte Schiene kann eine mit der ersten Schiene koordinierte Bewegung ausführen, wie weiter unten anhand eines Ausführungsbeispiels noch genauer zu sehen sein wird.The second spray nozzle can in particular also be held on a second cleaning unit. Furthermore, the device may have a fourth rail on which the second spray nozzle or the second cleaning unit is mounted linearly movable along the fourth rail. This fourth rail, like the first rail, may be attached to the second and third rails in such a way as to provide the same along the direction of the second and third rail is linearly movable. The fourth rail may perform a coordinated with the first rail movement, as will be seen in more detail below with reference to an embodiment.

Die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zum Reinigen von Vulkanisationsformen für Reifen mittels Trockeneis gemäß einem zweiten Aspekt umfasst einen Haltearm, einen Haltekörper, welcher mit dem Haltearm verbunden ist, eine erste Reinigungseinheit, welche mit dem Haltekörper verbunden ist, eine erste Sprühdüse, welche mit der ersten Reinigungseinheit verbunden ist, eine zweite Reinigungseinheit, welche mit dem Haltekörper verbunden ist, und eine zweite Sprühdüse, welche mit der Zweiten Reinigungseinheit verbunden ist.The dry ice curing device according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a holding arm, a holding body connected to the holding arm, a first cleaning unit connected to the holding body, a first spraying nozzle connected to the first cleaning unit is a second cleaning unit, which is connected to the holding body, and a second spray nozzle, which is connected to the second cleaning unit.

Das Vorhandensein zweier Sprühdüsen ermöglicht zunächst einmal eine erhebliche Verkürzung der Zeitdauer für die Reinigung einer Vulkanisationsform gegenüber Reinigungsvorrichtungen mit nur einer Sprühdüse. Das Vorhandensein von zwei Sprühdüsen kann aber auch dahingehend genutzt werden, dass bestimmte, schwer zugängliche Bereiche der Innenwand einer Vulkanisationsform von beiden Sprühdüsen mit dem Trockeneis-Strahl beaufschlagt werden, wobei insbesondere vorgesehen sein kann, dass die beiden Sprühdüsen den betreffenden Bereich aus unterschiedlichen Richtungen bestrahlen, so dass der betreffende Bereich besser gereinigt werden kann. Dabei kann beispielsweise auch vorgesehen sein, dass schwer zugängliche Bereiche oder Ventile, insbesondere solche die schwer zugänglich sind, von beiden Sprühdüsen mit dem Trockeneis-Strahl beaufschlagt werden.The presence of two spray nozzles initially allows a considerable shortening of the period of time for the cleaning of a vulcanization mold compared to cleaning devices with only one spray nozzle. However, the presence of two spray nozzles can also be used in that certain, hard to reach areas of the inner wall of a Vulkanisationsform be acted upon by both spray nozzles with the dry ice jet, wherein it can be provided in particular that the two spray nozzles irradiate the area in question from different directions so that the area in question can be better cleaned. It can also be provided, for example, that hard to reach areas or valves, in particular those which are difficult to access, are acted on by both spray nozzles with the dry ice jet.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung nach dem zweiten Aspekt kann durch den Haltekörper ein x-y-z-Koordinatensystem definiert sein und die beiden Sprühdüsen können jeweils entlang der drei Achsen des Koordinatensystems linear bewegbar sein. Dabei kann insbesondere vorgesehen sein, dass beide Sprühdüsen jeweils derart an ihrer jeweiligen Reinigungseinheit gehaltert sind, dass sie relativ zu dieser entlang einer z-Achse des x-y-z-Koordinatensystems linear bewegbar sind.According to an embodiment of the device according to the second aspect, an x-y-z coordinate system can be defined by the holding body and the two spray nozzles can each be linearly movable along the three axes of the coordinate system. In particular, it may be provided that both spray nozzles are each held on their respective cleaning unit in such a way that they can be moved linearly relative to it along a z-axis of the x-y-z coordinate system.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung gemäß dem zweiten Aspekt sind die beiden Reinigungseinheiten auf eine Weise mit dem Haltekörper verbunden, dass sie mindestens hinsichtlich einer der drei Richtungen des x-y-z-Koordinatensystems, etwa der z-Richtung, unabhängig voneinander bewegbar sind. Insbesondere kann vorgesehen sein, dass sie bezüglich zwei Richtungen, etwa der z- und y-Rickitung unabhängig voneinander bewegbar sind, bezüglich der x-Richtung die Bewegung jedoch in bestimmter Weise koordiniert ist, wie noch zu sehen sein wird. Es kann jedoch auch vorgesehen sein, dass die Bewegung hinsichtlich aller drei Richtungen unabhängig voneinander erfolgt.According to one embodiment of the device according to the second aspect, the two cleaning units are connected to the holding body in a manner such that they can be moved independently of one another in at least one of the three directions of the x-y-z coordinate system, such as the z-direction. In particular, it may be provided that they are movable independently of one another with respect to two directions, for example the z- and y-Rickitung, with respect to the x-direction, however, the movement is coordinated in a certain way, as will be seen. However, it can also be provided that the movement takes place independently of each other in all three directions.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung gemäß dem zweiten Aspekt weist der Haltekörper einen Ring, insbesondere einen Drehring, auf, wie weiter unten noch näher ausgeführt werden wird.According to one embodiment of the device according to the second aspect, the holding body has a ring, in particular a rotary ring, as will be explained in more detail below.

Gemäß einer Aüsführungsform der Vorrichtung gemäß dem zweiten Aspekt sind die erste Reinigungseinheit und die zweite Reinigungseinheit derart miteinander und mit dem Haltekörper verbunden, dass sie eine koordinierte Drehbewegung um eine Hauptachse des Haltekörpers ausführen können, wobei insbesondere die koordinierte Drehbewegung in einer x-y-Ebene eines x-y-z-Koordinatensystems stattfindet. Insbesondere kann dabei der Haltekörper einen Ring wie einen Drehring aufweisen und die durch den Drehring definierte Ebene kann die x-y-Ebene des x-y-z-Koordinatensystems bilden. Die Hauptachse des Drehrings kann die Symmetrieachse des Drehrings sein.According to an embodiment of the device according to the second aspect, the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit are connected with each other and with the holding body so that they can perform a coordinated rotational movement about a main axis of the holding body, in particular the coordinated rotational movement takes place in an xy plane of an xyz coordinate system. In particular, the holding body can have a ring such as a rotating ring and the plane defined by the rotating ring can form the xy plane of the xyz coordinate system. The main axis of the rotary ring can be the axis of symmetry of the rotary ring.

Die Vorrichtung umfasst ferner eine erste Schiene, an welcher die erste Reinigungseinheit linear entlang der ersten Schiene bewegbar angebracht ist, und eine zweite Schiene, an welcher die zweite Reinigungseinheit linear entlang der zweiten Schiene bewegbar angebracht ist, wobei die erste Schiene und die zweite Schiene sich jeweils entlang einer x-Achse eines x-y-z-Koordinätensystems erstrecken.The apparatus further includes a first rail on which the first cleaning unit is movably mounted linearly along the first rail, and a second rail on which the second cleaning unit is movably mounted linearly along the second rail, the first rail and the second rail each extend along an x-axis of an xyz coordinate system.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung gemäß dem zweiten Aspekt umfasst die Vorrichtung ferner eine dritte Schiene und eine dazu parallele vierte Schiene, wobei die erste Schiene und die zweite Schiene jeweils derart an der dritten und der vierten Schiene angebracht sind, dass sie entlang der Richtung der dritten und vierten Schiene linear bewegbar sind, wobei die dritte Schiene und die vierte Schiene sich jeweils entlang einer y-Achse des x-y-z-Koordinatensystems erstrecken und ortsfest an dem Haltekörper angebracht sind.According to an embodiment of the device according to the second aspect, the device further comprises a third rail and a fourth rail parallel thereto, wherein the first rail and the second rail are respectively mounted on the third and the fourth rail so as to be along the direction of the third and fourth rail are linearly movable, wherein the third rail and the fourth rail each extend along a y-axis of the xyz coordinate system and are fixedly mounted on the holding body.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung gemäß dem zweiten Aspekt kann die erste Sprühdüse an der ersten Reinigungseinheit verschwenkbar angebracht sein und die zweite Sprühdüse kann an der zweiten Reinigungseinheit verschwenkbar angebracht sein, wobei insbesondere die Verschwenkbarkeit jeder der beiden Sprühdüsen um eine zur Achse der Sprühdüse senkrechte Achse erfolgt, insbesondere um eine z-Achse eines durch den Haltekörper definierten x-y-z-Koordinatensystems.According to one embodiment of the device according to the second aspect, the first spray nozzle may be pivotally mounted on the first cleaning unit and the second spray nozzle may be pivotally mounted on the second cleaning unit, in particular the pivotability of each of the two spray nozzles about one to the axis of the spray nozzle vertical axis takes place, in particular about a z-axis of an xyz coordinate system defined by the holding body.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung gemäß dem ersten oder dem zweiten Aspekt ist der Haltearm als ein Gelenkarm, insbesondere als ein sogenannter SCARA-Arm (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm), ausgebindet.According to one embodiment of the device according to the first or the second aspect, the holding arm is constructed as an articulated arm, in particular as a so-called SCARA arm (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm).

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung gemäß dem ersten oder dem zweiten Aspekt weist die Vorrichtung ferner eine Überwachungseinrichtung zur Überwachung der Position und/oder Ausrichtung der ersten und der zweiten Sprühdüse auf, wobei die Überwachungseinrichtung Sensoren aufweisen kann, mit welchen die Bewegungen der ersten und zweiten Sprühdüse und/oder der ersten und der zweiten Reinigungseinheit detektierbar sind. Die Sensoren können dabei auf verschiedene Weise ausgestaltet sein. Es können zum einen in den Antriebselementen der Sprühdüsen, der Reinigungseinheiten oder der anderen bewegten Glieder Drehgeber und Wegaufnehmer enthalten sein, mittels derer festgestellt werden kann, welchen Weg ein bestimmtes Element oder Glied zurückgelegt hat. Die Sensoren können alternativ oder zusätzlich dazu auch als berührungslos messende Sensoren ausgebildet sein, die beispielsweise an bestimmten Positionen des Haltekörpers befestigt sind und als Abstandsmess-Sensoren auf Laser- oder Ultraschallbasis ausgebildet sein.According to one embodiment of the device according to the first or the second aspect, the device further comprises a monitoring device for monitoring the position and / or orientation of the first and the second spray nozzle, wherein the monitoring device may comprise sensors with which the movements of the first and second spray nozzle and / or the first and the second cleaning unit are detectable. The sensors can be designed in different ways. It can be contained on the one hand in the drive elements of the spray nozzles, the cleaning units or other moving members rotary encoder and transducer, by means of which it can be determined which way a certain element or member has covered. As an alternative or in addition, the sensors can also be designed as contactless measuring sensors, which are fastened, for example, to specific positions of the holding body and can be designed as distance measuring sensors on a laser or ultrasound basis.

Gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung gemäß dem ersten oder dem zweiten Aspekt kann mit der Überwachungseinrichtung eine Regelungseinrichtung verbunden sein, welche eingerichtet sein kann, um die Position und/oder Ausrichtung der ersten und der zweiten Sprühdüse und/oder der ersten und der zweiten Reinigungseinheit aufgrund vorgegebener Sollwerte zu regeln. Die Regelungsvorrichtung kann beispielsweise auch derart programmierbar ausgestaltet sein, dass benutzerseitig eingebbar nur ein bestimmter ausgewählter Bereich einer Innenwand einer Vulkanisationsform, beispielsweise ein Ventil oder ein Schwer zugänglicher Bereich, gereinigt werden soll. Die Regelungseinrichtung kann dementsprechend Sollwerte an eine Antriebssteuerung der zu bewegenden Elemente und Glieder ausgeben und erhält, in regelmäßigen Abständen oder kontinuierlich Infomationssignale von der Überwachungseinrichtung bezüglich der Position und/oder Ausrichtung von einer der Sprühdüsen und/oder einer der ersten und zweiten Reinigungseinheiten.According to a further embodiment of the device according to the first or the second aspect may be connected to the monitoring device, a control device, which may be configured to the position and / or orientation of the first and the second spray nozzle and / or the first and the second cleaning unit due given Setpoints to regulate. The control device may, for example, also be configured in such a way that only a certain selected area of an inner wall of a vulcanization mold, for example a valve or a hard-to-reach area, is to be cleaned by the user. The control device can accordingly output set values to a drive control of the elements and members to be moved and receives, at regular intervals or continuously, information signals from the monitoring device with respect to the position and / or orientation of one of the spray nozzles and / or one of the first and second cleaning units.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung gemäß dem ersten oder dem zweiten Aspekt ist der Haltekörper mittels eines Drehgelenks mit dem Haltearm verbunden, so dass der Haltekörper um eine Dreh- oder zentrale Achse des Drehgelenks drehbar angelenkt ist. Dies ist insbesondere deshalb von Vorteil, da hierdurch der Haltekörper und somit die an ihm befestigten Elemente, wie Reinigungseinheiten oder Sprühdüsen, an die Vulkanisationsform von oben oder von unten und hierbei auch von verschiedenen Richtungen und gegebenenfalls auch unter schrägen Winkeln angenähert werden kann.According to one embodiment of the device according to the first or the second aspect of the holding body is connected by means of a rotary joint with the holding arm, so that the holding body is rotatably articulated about a rotational or central axis of the rotary joint. This is particularly advantageous, since in this way the holding body and thus the elements attached to it, such as cleaning units or spray nozzles, can be approximated to the vulcanization mold from above or from below and in this case also from different directions and optionally also at oblique angles.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung gemäß dem ersten oder dem zweiten Aspekt umfasst die Vorrichtung Antriebseinheiten zum Antrieb der Bewegung der Reinigungseinheiten und Sprühdüsen, wobei jede der Antriebseinheiten einen Druckluftmotor enthält. Vorzugsweise sind auch in den weiteren Antriebseinheiten der weiteren bewegbaren Elemente Druckluftmotoren enthalten.According to one embodiment of the device according to the first or the second aspect, the device comprises drive units for driving the movement of the cleaning units and spray nozzles, wherein each of the drive units includes a compressed air motor. Preferably, compressed air motors are also contained in the further drive units of the further movable elements.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung gemäß dem ersten oder dem zweiten Aspekt umfasst die Vorrichtung ferner einen Reinigungswagen, an welchem der Haltearm schwenkbar angebracht ist und welcher einen ersten Bereich aufweiset, in welchen der Haltearm mit dem Haltekörper eingeschwenkt und darin arretiert werden kann. Der Reinigungswagen kann des Weiteren einen zweiten Bereich, aufweisen, in welchem eine Trockeneis-Strahlanlage angeordnet ist.According to one embodiment of the device according to the first or the second aspect, the device further comprises a cleaning trolley, on which the holding arm is pivotally mounted and which has a first region, in which the holding arm can be pivoted to the holding body and locked therein. The cleaning cart can furthermore have a second area, in which a dry ice blasting installation is arranged.

Ein erfindungsgemäßes Verfahren zum Reinigen von Vulkanisationsformen für Reifen gemäß einem dritten Aspekt umfasst die Schritte: Bereitstellen einer Vulkanisationsform, Ausrichten einer ersten Sprühdüse auf eine erste Reinigungsposition und/oder einer zweiten Sprühdüse auf eine zweite Reinigungsposition, Zuführen von Trockeneis zu der ersten und/oder der zweiten Sprühdüse, und programmgesteuertes Bewegen der ersten Sprühdüse und/oder der zweiten Sprühdüse derart, dass ein vorgegebener Bereich einer Innenwand der Vulkanisationsform durch einen oder zwei Trockeneis-Strahlen gereinigt wird.A method according to the invention for cleaning vulcanization molds for tires according to a third aspect comprises the steps of providing a vulcanization mold, aligning a first spray nozzle with a first cleaning position and / or a second spray nozzle with a second cleaning position, feeding dry ice to the first and / or the second second spray nozzle, and programmatically moving the first spray nozzle and / or the second spray nozzle such that a predetermined area of an inner wall of the vulcanization mold is cleaned by one or two dry ice jets.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform des Verfahrens kann die Vulkanisationsform in einem Zustand bereitgestellt werden, in welchem sie in eine Heizpresse eingebaut ist. Dies ist insbesondere deshalb vorteilhaft, da die Vulkanisationsform in diesem Zustand mittels der Heizpresse auf eine vorgegebene Temperatur, insbesondere eine Temperatur größer als 50°C, insbesondere größer als 100°C, insbesondere größer als 150°C gebracht werden kann, so dass der Reinigungsvorgang thermisch, unterstützt werden kann.According to one embodiment of the method, the vulcanization mold may be provided in a state in which it is installed in a heating press. This is particularly advantageous because the vulcanization mold can be brought in this state by means of the hot press to a predetermined temperature, in particular a temperature greater than 50 ° C, in particular greater than 100 ° C, in particular greater than 150 ° C, so that the cleaning process thermally, can be supported.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform des Verfahrens kann die Vulkanisationsform in einem aus der Heizpresse ausgebauten Zustand bereitgestellt werden und diesem Zustand gereinigt werden.According to one embodiment of the method, the vulcanization mold can be removed in one of the heating press Be provided state and cleaned this state.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform umfasst das Verfahren den weiteren Schritt: Überwachen der Position und/öder der Ausrichtung der ersten und/oder der zweiten Sprühdüse und gegebenenfalls Riegeln der Position und/oder Ausrichtung der ersten und/oder der zweiten Sprühdüse aufgrund vorgegebener Sollwerte.According to one embodiment, the method comprises the further step of monitoring the position and / or the alignment of the first and / or the second spray nozzle and optionally locking the position and / or orientation of the first and / or the second spray nozzle on the basis of predetermined desired values.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform wird lediglich ein Teilbereich der Innenwand, insbesondere ein Ventil oder ein schwer zugänglicher Bereich der Innenwand, gereinigt. Das Verfahren umfasst dann gegebenenfalls den weiteren Schritt: Eingeben von Koordinationsdaten, welche den Bereich kennzeichnen, in eine Steuerungseinrichtung.According to one embodiment, only a portion of the inner wall, in particular a valve or a hard to reach area of the inner wall, cleaned. The method then optionally includes the further step of inputting coordination data identifying the area into a controller.

Im Folgenden werden Ausführungsbeispiele anhand der Zeichnungen näher erläutert. Es zeigen:

  • Fig. 1 eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht auf eine Reinigungsvorrichtung gemäß einem ersten Aspekt.
  • Fig. 2 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Reinigungsvorrichtung gemäß einem zweiten Aspekt.
  • Fig. 3 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Reinigungskopfes einer Reinigungsvorrichtung gemäß einer Ausführungsform.
  • Fig. 4 eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht des an einem Gelenkarm angebrachten Reinigungskopfes der Fig.1.
  • Fig. 5 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Reinigungseinheit gemäß einer Ausführungsform.
  • Fig. 6 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Haltearms gemäß einer Ausführungsform.
  • Fig. 7 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Reinigungswagens einer Reinigungsvorrichtung gemäß einer Ausführungsform.
  • Fig. 8 ein Flussdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Reinigen von Vulkanisationsformen für Reifen mittels Trockeneis gemäß einem dritten Aspekt.
Embodiments will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Show it:
  • Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of a cleaning device according to a first aspect.
  • Fig. 2 a schematic plan view of a cleaning device according to a second aspect.
  • Fig. 3 a perspective view of a cleaning head of a cleaning device according to an embodiment.
  • Fig. 4 a further perspective view of the mounted on an articulated arm cleaning head of Fig.1 ,
  • Fig. 5 a perspective view of a cleaning unit according to an embodiment.
  • Fig. 6 a perspective view of a support arm according to an embodiment.
  • Fig. 7 a perspective view of a cleaning carriage of a cleaning device according to an embodiment.
  • Fig. 8 a flow diagram of a method for cleaning vulcanization molds for tires by means of dry ice according to a third aspect.

Die Fig.1 zeigt eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht einer Reinigungsvorrichtung gemäß dem ersten Aspekt. Die Reinigungsvorrichtung 50 soll dazu eingesetzt werden, eine Vulkanisationsform 60 mit einem Trockeneis-Strahl 70 zu reinigen. Die Reinigungsform 50 enthält zu diesem Zweck einen Haltekörper 51 und eine Sprühdüse 52, welche mit dem Haltekörper 51 verbunden ist. Der Haltekörper 51 kann an einem nicht dargestellten Haltearm befestigt sein. Der Haltekörper 51 kann, wie dargestellt, die Form einer kreisrunden Scheibe aufweisen und durch ihn kann solchermaßen auch ein x-y-z-Koordinatensystem definiert sein, in welchem die z-Achse parallel zu der Mittelachse des Haltekörpers 51 verläuft, und die x-y-Ebene eine Ebene parallel zur Hauptoberfläche des Haltekörpers 51 bildet. Die Sprühdüse 52 ist entlang von drei Achsen eines x-y-z-Koordinatensystems linear bewegbar. Dabei kann vorgesehen sein, dass die Sprühdüse 52 an einer Reinigungseinheit 53 derart gehaltert ist, dass sie relativ zu der Reinigungseinheit 53 eine Bewegung in z-Richtung, also senkrecht zu der Hauptebene des Haltekörpers 51 ausführen kann. Ferner kann vorgesehen sein, dass die Sprühdüse 52 an einer ersten Schiene 54 derart gehaltert ist, dass sie entlang der ersten Schiene 54 eine lineare Bewegung in y-Richtung ausführen kann. Des weiteren kann die erste Schiene 54 so zwischen einer zweiten Schiene 55 und einer dazu parallelen dritten Schiene 56 befestigt sein, dass sie eine lineare Bewegung entlang der zweiten und dritten Schiene, also in x-Richtung ausführen kann. Zusätzlich kann die Sprühdüse 52 um eine zur y-Achse parallele und durch die Längsachse der Sprühdüse 52 hindurchgehende Achse verschwenkbar ausgeführt sein, was mit der Bezugsziffer 57 angedeutet ist. Der gesamte Haltekörper 51 kann zudem um seine Mittelachse drehbar ausgeführt sein, was durch die Bezugsziffer 58 angedeutet ist. Mittels dieser Bewegungs-Freiheitsgrade kann die Vulkanisationsform 60 auch an schwer zugänglichen Stellen sehr gut gereinigt werden.The Fig.1 shows a schematic perspective view of a cleaning device according to the first aspect. The cleaning device 50 is intended to be used to clean a vulcanization mold 60 with a dry ice jet 70. The cleaning mold 50 contains for this purpose a holding body 51 and a spray nozzle 52, which is connected to the holding body 51. The holding body 51 may be attached to a holding arm, not shown. The holding body 51 can, as shown, have the shape of a circular disk and can thus also be defined as an xyz coordinate system, in which the z-axis is parallel to the central axis of the holding body 51, and the xy plane is parallel to a plane to the main surface of the holding body 51 forms. The spray nozzle 52 is linearly movable along three axes of an xyz coordinate system. It can be provided that the spray nozzle 52 is supported on a cleaning unit 53 such that it can perform a movement in the z-direction, ie perpendicular to the main plane of the holding body 51 relative to the cleaning unit 53. Furthermore, it can be provided that the spray nozzle 52 is supported on a first rail 54 in such a way that it can execute a linear movement in the y-direction along the first rail 54. Furthermore, the first rail 54 may be secured between a second rail 55 and a third rail 56 parallel thereto so that it can perform a linear movement along the second and third rails, ie in the x-direction. In addition, the spray nozzle 52 may be pivotable about an axis parallel to the y-axis and passing through the longitudinal axis of the spray nozzle 52, which is indicated by the reference numeral 57. The entire holding body 51 may also be designed to be rotatable about its central axis, which is indicated by the reference numeral 58. By means of these degrees of freedom of movement, the vulcanization mold 60 can be cleaned very well even in hard to reach places.

Die Fig. 2 zeigt eine schematische Draufsicht einer Reinigungsvorrichtung gemäß dem zweiten Aspekt. Die Reinigungsvorrichtung 100 umfasst einen Haltearm 10, einen Haltekörper 20, welcher mit dem Haltearm 10 verbunden ist, eine erste Reinigungseinheit 30, welche mit dem Haltekörper 20 verbunden ist, eine erste Sprühdüse 31, welche mit der ersten Reinigungseinheit 30 verbunden ist, eine zweite Reinigungseinheit 40, welche mit dem Haltekörper 20 verbunden ist, und eine zweite Sprühdüse 41, welche mit der zweiten Reinigungseinheit 40 verbunden ist.The Fig. 2 shows a schematic plan view of a cleaning device according to the second aspect. The cleaning device 100 comprises a holding arm 10, a holding body 20, which is connected to the holding arm 10, a first cleaning unit 30, which is connected to the holding body 20, a first spray nozzle 31, which is connected to the first cleaning unit 30, a second cleaning unit 40, which is connected to the holding body 20, and a second spray nozzle 41, which is connected to the second cleaning unit 40.

Der Haltekörper 20 wird zusammen mit den daran befestigten Elementen im Folgenden auch als Reinigungskopf bezeichnet. Der Haltekörper 20 kann, wie dargestellt, einen Ring, insbesondere einen Drehring, aufweisen, an welchem die Reinigungseinheiten 30 und 40 in einer noch darzustellenden Weise beweglich angebracht sein können. Durch den Haltekörper 20 kann ein x-y-z-Koordinatensystem definiert werden, wobei die von dem Drehring aufgespannte Ebene die x-y-Ebene definiert und die Senkrechte dazu die z-Achse definiert. Die Reinigungseinheiten 30 und 40 und die daran angebrachten Sprühdüsen 31 und 41 können innerhalb der x-y-Ebene bewegbar gehaltert sein und die Sprühdüsen 31 und 41 können zusätzlich derart an der ersten Reinigungseinheit 30 bzw. der zweiten Reinigungseinheit 40 angebracht sein, dass sie in z-Richtung linear bewegbar sind. Aus diesem Grund werden nachfolgend die Reinigungseinheit 30 und 40 nachfolgend auch als z-Achs-Einheiten bezeichnet.The holding body 20 together with the elements attached thereto is also referred to below as a cleaning head. The holding body 20 can, as shown, a ring, in particular a rotary ring, have, on which the cleaning units 30 and 40 can be mounted movably in a manner yet to be shown. Through the holding body 20, an xyz coordinate system can be defined, wherein the plane spanned by the rotary ring defines the xy plane and the perpendicular defines the z axis. The cleaning units 30 and 40 and the spray nozzles 31 and 41 attached thereto may be movably supported within the xy plane and the spray nozzles 31 and 41 may additionally be mounted on the first cleaning unit 30 and the second cleaning unit 40, respectively, in such a way that Direction are linearly movable. For this reason, the cleaning unit 30 and 40 will be hereinafter referred to as z-axis units.

Die Figuren 3 und 4 zeigen jeweils perspektivische Ansichten eines Reinigungskopfes 200, der im Wesentlichen aus einem Haltekörper 220, einer ersten Reinigungseinheit 230, einer daran angebrachten ersten Sprühdüse 231, einer zweiten Reinigungseinheit 240, einer daran angebrachten zweiten Sprühdüse 241, einer ersten Schiene 245, einer zweiten Schiene 250, einer dritten Schiene 255, und einer vierten Schiene 260 aufgebaut ist. Der an dem Reinigungskopf 200 angebrachte Haltearm 210 und die Sprühdüsen 231 und 241 sind nur in Fig. 3 dargestellt.The Figures 3 and 4 13 show in each case perspective views of a cleaning head 200, which essentially consists of a holding body 220, a first cleaning unit 230, a first spray nozzle 231 attached thereto, a second cleaning unit 240, a second spray nozzle 241 attached thereto, a first rail 245, a second rail 250, a third rail 255, and a fourth rail 260 is constructed. The attached to the cleaning head 200 holding arm 210 and the spray nozzles 231 and 241 are only in Fig. 3 shown.

Jede der beiden Reinigungseinheiten 230 und 240 kann auf einem Schlitten befestigt sein und die beiden Schlitten können mittels eines Schienensystems bewegt werden, welches aus zwei beweglichen Schienen 245 und 250 und zwei festen Schienen 255 und 260 aufgebaut sein kann. Die erste Reinigungseinheit 230 kann an einem ersten Schlitten 232 befestigt sein, welcher nur in Fig.3 sichtbar und bezeichnet ist und welcher mittels Führungsrollen an der ersten Schiene 245 linear beweglich entlang der Schiene befestigt sein kann. In eben solcher Weise kann die zweite Reinigungseinheit 240 an einem zweiten Schlitten 242 befestigt sein, welcher nur in Fig.4 sichtbar und bezeichnet ist und welcher ebenfalls mittels Führungsrollen an der zweiten beweglichen Schiene 250 linear beweglich entlang der Schiene befestigt sein kann. Die beiden Schlitten 232 und 242 können sich in y-Richtung bewegen. Jeder der beiden Schlitten 232 und 242 kann über einen Druckluftmotor 233 bzw. 243 angetrieben werden, wobei das Drehmoment dieses Motors über einen Zahnriementrieb 234 bzw. 244 auf eine Gewindespindel 236 bzw. 246 übertragen werden kann und eine entsprechende Gewindespindelmutter das auftretende Drehmoment in eine gerade gerichtete Bewegung in Richtung der y-Achse übertragen kann. Zusätzlich kann eine Überwachung der Bewegung in y-Richtung durch eine Drehgeber-Einheit übernommen werden, die am Ende der Gewindespindel angebracht sein kann. Die beiden Schlitten 232 und 242 mit den jeweils daran angebrachten Reinigungseinheiten 230 und 240 lassen sich somit unabhängig voneinander in ihrem jeweiligen Bewegungsspielraum frei verfahren und es können somit jederzeit zwei verschiedene Reinigungspositionen gleichzeitig mittels der Sprühdüsen 231 und 241 angepeilt werden.Each of the two cleaning units 230 and 240 may be mounted on a carriage, and the two carriages may be moved by means of a rail system which may be constructed of two movable rails 245 and 250 and two fixed rails 255 and 260. The first cleaning unit 230 may be attached to a first carriage 232, which is only in Figure 3 is visible and designated and which can be fixed by means of guide rollers on the first rail 245 linearly movable along the rail. In just such a way, the second cleaning unit 240 on a second carriage 242 be attached, which only in Figure 4 is visible and designated and which may also be secured by means of guide rollers on the second movable rail 250 linearly movable along the rail. The two carriages 232 and 242 can move in the y-direction. Each of the two carriages 232 and 242 can be driven via a pneumatic motor 233 or 243, wherein the torque of this motor via a toothed belt 234 or 244 on a threaded spindle 236 and 246 can be transmitted and a corresponding threaded nut the torque occurring in a straight directed movement in the direction of the y-axis can transmit. In addition, a monitoring of the movement in the y-direction can be taken over by a rotary encoder unit, which can be attached to the end of the threaded spindle. The two carriages 232 and 242 with the respectively attached cleaning units 230 and 240 can thus be freely moved independently in their respective range of motion and thus at any time two different cleaning positions can be targeted simultaneously by means of the spray nozzles 231 and 241.

Diese beiden y-Achs-Systeme mit ihren z-Achs-Einheiten lassen sich nun zentrisch zueinander auf der x-Achse des gesamten Systems bewegen. Hierfür kann ein weiterer Druckluftmotor 265 bereitgestellt sein, dessen Drehmoment auch hier mittels eines Zahnriemenradtriebes übertragen werden kann. Das Drehmoment kann in eine Gewindespindel 266 eingeleitet werden, welche von der Mitte aus in eine Richtung mit Linksgewinde und in die andere Richtung mit einem entsprechenden Rechtsgewinde versehen sein kann. Die beiden y-Achs-Systeme mit angebauten z-Achs-Einheiten können sich somit voneinander entfernen oder sich einander annähern, wenn die Gewindespindel 266 mit Links-Rechts-Gewinde in rotatorische Bewegung versetzt wird. Auch hier kann ein Drehgeber vorgesehen sein, welcher die Überwachung der Entfernung der beiden y-Achs-Systeme mit den z-Achs-Einheiten am Ende der Links-Rechts-Spindel für die x-Achse übernimmt.These two y-axis systems with their z-axis units can now be moved centrically to each other on the x-axis of the entire system. For this purpose, a further compressed air motor 265 can be provided, the torque of which can also be transmitted here by means of a toothed belt wheel drive. The torque may be introduced into a threaded spindle 266, which may be provided from the center in a left-hand direction and in the other direction with a corresponding right-hand thread. The two y-axis systems with attached z-axis units can thus move away from each other or approach each other when the threaded spindle 266 with left-right thread in rotational Movement is offset. Again, a rotary encoder may be provided which takes over the monitoring of the removal of the two y-axis systems with the z-axis units at the end of the left-right spindle for the x-axis.

Der Haltekörper 220 kann einen Drehring 221 aufweisen, an welchem das gesamte beschriebene Bewegungssystem derart montiert sein kann, dass das gesamte Bewegungssystem um mindestens 350° drehbar ausgeführt ist. Für diese Bewegung kann ein weiterer Druckluftmotor 367 eingesetzt werden, der über eine Zahnradübersetzung seine Kraft auf den Drehring 221 übertragen kann.The holding body 220 may have a rotary ring 221, on which the entire movement system described can be mounted such that the entire movement system is designed to be rotatable by at least 350 °. For this movement, a further compressed air motor 367 can be used, which can transmit its force to the rotary ring 221 via a gear ratio.

Die Fig. 4 zeigt eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht des Reinigungskopfes 200. In dieser Ansicht ist nun auch der Haltearm 210 zu sehen, an welchem der Reinigungskopf 200 befestigt ist. Des Weiteren ist gezeigt, dass der Reinigungskopf 200 von einer ring- oder polygonförmigen Schutzwand 268 umgeben sein kann, die vorzugsweise aus Edelstahl gefertigt ist. In dieser Ansicht sind auch die Sprühdüsen 231 und 241 und die von ihnen emittierten Trockeneis-Pellets zu sehen. Die Druckluftmotoren sind in der Ansicht der Fig. 4 weggelassen.The Fig. 4 shows a further perspective view of the cleaning head 200. In this view, now also the holding arm 210 can be seen, to which the cleaning head 200 is attached. Furthermore, it is shown that the cleaning head 200 may be surrounded by a ring-shaped or polygonal protective wall 268, which is preferably made of stainless steel. Also visible in this view are the spray nozzles 231 and 241 and the dry ice pellets they emit. The air motors are in the view of Fig. 4 omitted.

Der Reinigungskopf 200 kann ferner mittels eines Drehgelenks 263 an dem Haltearm 210 angebracht sein, durch den der Reinigungskopf 200 um eine zentrale Achse des Drehgelenks 263 oder des Haltearms 210 drehbar ausgeführt sein kann, wobei vorzugsweise eine Drehbarkeit um 180° vorgesehen ist, welche sowohl im als auch gegen den Uhrzeigersinn erfolgen kann. Somit kann der Reinigungskopf 200 problemlos Vulkanisationsformen von oben oder von unten und auch unter schrägen Winkeln angenähert werden. Es kann ferner eine Klemmvorrichtung 264 vorgesehen sein, welche ein ungewolltes Verstellen des Reinigungskopfes 200 verhindert, wenn dieser aus seiner 0°-Stellung ausgelenkt ist. Die Verdrehbarkeit des Reinigungskopfes 200 kann unter anderem dazu verwendet werden, Bodenunebenheiten vor den Heizpressen problemlos und schnell auszugleichen.The cleaning head 200 may further be attached to the support arm 210 by means of a hinge 263 through which the cleaning head 200 may be rotatable about a central axis of the pivot 263 or the support arm 210, preferably providing 180 ° rotation, which is both in the as well as counterclockwise. Thus, the cleaning head 200 can be easily approximated from above or below and also at oblique angles. It can also be a clamping device Be provided 264, which prevents accidental adjustment of the cleaning head 200 when it is deflected from its 0 ° position. The rotatability of the cleaning head 200 can be used, inter alia, to easily and quickly compensate for bumps in front of the heating presses.

Es kann ferner an dem Übergang zwischen dem Haltearm 210 und dem Reinigungskopf 200 eine Kippvorrichtung 262 angebracht sein, durch welche der Reinigungskopf 200 um eine durch die Kippvorrichtung 262 hindurchgehende Achse, welche zu der Achse des Drehgelenks 263 senkrecht ist, kippbar ist. Die Verkippung kann beispielsweise durch eine Trapezgewindespindel mit Handrad (nicht dargestellt) in einem Winkel von ca. 0° 30° verstellbar gelagert sein. An geeigneter Stelle des Reinigungskopfes 200 können überdies berührungslos arbeitende Sensoren (nicht dargestellt), wie etwa Ultraschalloder Laserstrahl-Sensoren, angebracht, sein, mit welchen über eine Abstandsbestimmtung der genaue Ort der Sprühdüsen 231 und 241 bestimmt werden kann. Das Messergebnis kann dann einer ebenfalls hier nicht dargestellten Überwachungseinrichtung zugeführt werden, in welcher durch einen Soll/Ist-Vergleich festgestellt wird, ob die Position von einer oder beiden Sprühdüsen korrigiert werden muss und gegebenenfalls entsprechende Steuersignale an einen oder mehrere der Antriebsmotoren ausgegeben werden müssen.Furthermore, a tilting device 262 can be attached to the transition between the holding arm 210 and the cleaning head 200, by means of which the cleaning head 200 can be tilted about an axis which passes through the tilting device 262 and which is perpendicular to the axis of the pivot joint 263. The tilt can, for example, by a trapezoidal screw with handwheel (not shown) be mounted adjustable at an angle of about 0 ° 30 °. In addition, contactlessly operating sensors (not shown), such as ultrasound or laser beam sensors, may be provided at a suitable location of the cleaning head 200, with the aid of which the precise location of the spray nozzles 231 and 241 can be determined by means of a distance determination. The measurement result can then be supplied to a monitoring device, also not shown here, in which it is determined by a target / actual comparison whether the position of one or both spray nozzles must be corrected and, if appropriate, corresponding control signals must be output to one or more of the drive motors.

Die Fig. 5 zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Reinigungseinheit oder auch z-Achs-Einheit entsprechend den in den Figuren 3 und 4 dargestellten Reinigungseinheiten 230 und 240. Die in der Fig. 5 mit dem Bezugszeichen 230 bezeichnete Reinigungseinheit weist eine Sprühdüse 231 auf, welche am Ende einer teleskopisch in z-Richtung verfahrbaren Achse angebracht ist. Die Sprühdüse 231 kann am Ende dieser verfahrbaren Achse um ca. 270° drehbar angebracht sein, wie durch die Pfeile angedeutet ist. Die Drehung kann mittels eines Pneumatikzylinders 230.1 realisiert werden und die Kraft kann über einen Zahnriemen 230.2 auf die Achse der Sprühdüse 231 übertragen werden. Ein Wegaufnehmer kann eine Rückmeldung über die aktuelle Winkelstellung der Sprühdüse 231 ausgeben. Die Verstellung entlang der z-Richtung kann mittels eines Druckluftmotors 230.3 erfolgen. Der Druckluftmotor 230.3 kann sein Drehmoment über eine Zahnriemenübersetzung 230.4 auf eine Trapezspindel übertragen, wobei die Führung der Achse in z-Richtung durch eine Teleskopschiene erfolgen kann. Die Ausfahrtiefe kann durch einen Drehgeber 230.41 überwacht werden, welcher in der Zahnriemenübersetzung 230.4 enthalten ist.The Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a cleaning unit or z-axis unit according to those in the Figures 3 and 4 shown cleaning units 230 and 240. The in the Fig. 5 designated by the reference numeral 230 cleaning unit has a spray nozzle 231, which at the end of a telescopically movable in the z-direction axis is appropriate. The spray nozzle 231 may be rotatably mounted at the end of this movable axis by approximately 270 °, as indicated by the arrows. The rotation can be realized by means of a pneumatic cylinder 230.1 and the force can be transmitted to the axis of the spray nozzle 231 via a toothed belt 230.2. A displacement sensor can output a feedback about the current angular position of the spray nozzle 231. The adjustment along the z-direction can be done by means of a compressed air motor 230.3. The air motor 230.3 can transmit its torque via a toothed belt ratio 230.4 to a trapezoidal spindle, wherein the guidance of the axis in the z-direction can be done by a telescopic rail. The exit depth can be monitored by a rotary encoder 230.41, which is included in the toothed belt ratio 230.4.

Die Sprühdüse 231 ist mit einer Zuführung 231.1 verbunden, mit welcher Trockeneis-Pellets 239 zugeführt werden können, welche am Austrittsende der Sprühdüse 231 bei einem Reinigungsvorgang abgestrahlt werden können.The spray nozzle 231 is connected to a feed 231.1, with which dry ice pellets 239 can be supplied, which can be emitted at the outlet end of the spray nozzle 231 during a cleaning process.

In der Fig. 6 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Haltearms gemäß einer Ausführungsform dargestellt. Der Haltearm 550 kann demgemäß als ein dreigliedriger Gelenkarm oder auch sogenannter SCARA-Arm ausgestaltet sein. Ein derartiger Gelenkarm ermöglicht eine maximale Flexibilität beim Anfahren der zu reinigenden Vulkanisationsform. An dem äußeren, rechten Ende der in Fig. 6 dargestellten Ausführungsform des Gelenkarms 550 wird dieser mit einem Reinigungswagen verbunden, während er mit dem äußeren, linken Ende - wie bereits in Fig.4 zu sehen war - mit dem Reinigungskopf verbunden wird. Der Gelenkarm 550 weist drei Gelenke 551, 552 und 553 auf, welche es möglich machen, dass sich der Schwerpunkt des Reinigungskopfes in einem günstigen Bereich bewegt, während der Reinigungskopf an die zu reinigende Vulkanisationsform angenähert wird. Der Reinigungskopf kann dabei in relativer Nähe zu dem verwendeten Reinigungswagen vorbei bewegt werden, so dass nur geringe seitliche Kippmomente auftreten. Die Elemente des Gelenkarms können Durchführungen 554 aufweisen, durch die Schläuche und/oder elektrische Leitungen von dem Reinigungswagen zu dem Reinigungskopf geführt werden können.In the Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a holding arm according to an embodiment shown. The holding arm 550 may accordingly be configured as a three-part articulated arm or else a so-called SCARA arm. Such an articulated arm allows maximum flexibility when approaching the vulcanization mold to be cleaned. At the outer, right end of the in Fig. 6 illustrated embodiment of the articulated arm 550 it is connected to a cleaning trolley, while it with the outer, left end - as already in Figure 4 was seen - is connected to the cleaning head. The articulated arm 550 has three hinges 551, 552 and 553, which make it possible that the center of gravity of the cleaning head moves in a favorable range, while the Cleaning head is approximated to the vulcanization mold to be cleaned. The cleaning head can be moved past in relative proximity to the cleaning cart used, so that only small lateral tilting moments occur. The elements of the articulated arm may include feedthroughs 554 through which hoses and / or electrical leads may be routed from the cleaning cart to the cleaning head.

In der Fig. 7 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Reinigungswagens einer Reinigungsvorrichtung gemäß einer Ausführungsform dargestellt. Der Reinigungswagen 290 weist einen ersten Bereich 291 und einen zweiten Bereich 292 auf, welche durch eine horizontale Zwischenwand 293 voneinander getrennt sein können. Der erste Bereich 291 ist dafür vorgesehen, dass ein an dem Reinigungswagen 290 angebrachter Haltearm 210 mit samt daran befestigtem Reinigungskopf 220 in den ersten Bereich 291 eingeschwenkt und darin arretiert werden kann. Der zweite Bereich 292 ist dafür vorgesehen, eine Trockeneis-Strahlanlage 295 aufzunehmen, welche vorliegend zwei Trockeneisbehälter 295.1 und 295.2 enthält, welche über entsprechende Schlauchzuführungen mit den Sprühdüsen verbindbar bzw. verbunden sind. In dem ersten Bereich 291 kann außerdem ein Gebläse 294 für die Absaugung der Trockeneis-Pellets aus den Trockeneisbehältern 295.1 und 295.2 aufbewahrt sein. In dem zweiten Bereich 292 kann auch ein Schaltschrank 296 für die Bereitstellung der Stromversorgung für die Schrittmotoren und für angeordnet sein. Insbesondere die Einheiten 294 und 296 können auch vertauscht angeordnet werden. Der Haltearm 210 kann an einer vertikalen Schiene 295 vertikal verschiebbar angebracht sein.In the Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a cleaning carriage of a cleaning device according to an embodiment shown. The cleaning cart 290 has a first region 291 and a second region 292, which may be separated from one another by a horizontal intermediate wall 293. The first area 291 is provided so that a holding arm 210 attached to the cleaning trolley 290 can be swiveled into the first area 291 and locked therein, together with the cleaning head 220 attached thereto. The second region 292 is intended to receive a dry ice blasting system 295, which in the present case contains two dry ice containers 295.1 and 295.2, which can be connected or connected to the spray nozzles via corresponding hose feeds. In addition, a blower 294 for the extraction of the dry ice pellets from the dry ice containers 295.1 and 295.2 may be stored in the first region 291. In the second area 292 may also be a cabinet 296 for providing the power supply for the stepper motors and arranged for. In particular, the units 294 and 296 can also be arranged reversed. The support arm 210 may be vertically slidably mounted on a vertical rail 295.

In der Fig. 8 ist ein Flussdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Reinigen von Vulkanisationsformen für Reifen mittels Trockeneis mittels einer wie vorstehend beschriebenen Vorrichtung gemäß dem dritten Aspekt dargestellt. Das Verfahren 80 gemäß Fig. 8 umfasst die Schritte: Bereitstellen einer Vulkanisationsform (81), Ausrichten der ersten Sprühdüse auf eine erste Reinigungsposition und/oder der zweiten Sprühdüse auf eine zweite Reinigungsposition (82), Zuführen von Trokkeneis zu der ersten und/oder der zweiten Sprühdüsen (83), und programmgesteuertes Bewegen der ersten Sprühdüse und/oder der zweiten Sprühdüse derart, dass ein vorgegebener Bereich einer Innenwand der Vulkanisationsform durch einen oder zwei Trokkeneis-Strahlen gereinigt wird (84).In the Fig. 8 is a flow diagram of a method for cleaning vulcanization molds for tires by means Dry ice represented by a device according to the third aspect as described above. The method 80 according to Fig. 8 comprising the steps of: providing a vulcanization mold (81), aligning the first spray nozzle to a first cleaning position and / or the second spray nozzle to a second cleaning position (82), supplying dry ice to the first and / or the second spray nozzles (83), and programmatically moving the first spray nozzle and / or the second spray nozzle such that a predetermined area of an inner wall of the vulcanization mold is cleaned by one or two dry ice jets (84).

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform des Verfahrens wird die Vulkanisationsform in einem Zustand bereitgestellt, in welchem sie in eine Heizpresse eingebaut ist. Dabei kann vorzugsweise die Temperatur der Vulkanisationsform auf einen Wert von mehr als 50°C oder mehr als 100°C eingestellt werden. Auf diese Weise kann der Reinigungsvorgang thermisch unterstützt werden.According to one embodiment of the method, the vulcanization mold is provided in a state in which it is installed in a heating press. In this case, preferably, the temperature of the vulcanization mold can be adjusted to a value of more than 50 ° C or more than 100 ° C. In this way, the cleaning process can be thermally assisted.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform des Verfahrens wird die Vulkanisationsform in einem Zustand bereitgestellt, in welchem sie aus der Heizpresse ausgebaut ist.According to one embodiment of the method, the vulcanization mold is provided in a state in which it is removed from the heating press.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform des Verfahrens wird die Vulkanisationsform in einem Zustand bereitgestellt, in welchem sie in eine Heizpresse eingebaut ist.According to one embodiment of the method, the vulcanization mold is provided in a state in which it is installed in a heating press.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform des Verfahrens wird die erste und/oder die zweite Düse während des Reinigungsverfahrens entlang aller drei Richtungen des x-y-z-Koordinatensystems bewegt, um jeden gewünschten Bereich von einer optimalen Reinigungsposition aus anvisieren zu können.According to an embodiment of the method, during the cleaning process, the first and / or the second nozzle is moved along all three directions of the xyz coordinate system in order to be able to aim at any desired area from an optimum cleaning position.

Mit den in den vorstehenden Ausführungsformen beschriebenen Drehgebern und Wegaufnehmern und/oder berührungslos messenden Sensoren ist es möglich die Position und/oder die Ausrichtung der ersten und der zweiten Sprühdüse zu überwachen. Zusätzlich kann die Position und/oder Ausrichtung der ersten und der zweiten Sprühdüse aufgrund vorgegebener Sollwerte geregelt werden.With the encoders and transducers described in the above embodiments and / or contactless measuring sensors, it is possible to monitor the position and / or the orientation of the first and the second spray nozzle. Additionally, the position and / or orientation of the first and second spray nozzles may be regulated based on predetermined setpoints.

Mit dem vorstehend beschriebenen Verfahren kann beispielsweise ein Teilbereich der Innenwand einer Vulkanisationsform, insbesondere ein ein Ventil oder einen schwer zugänglichen Bereich aufweisender Teilbereich, gereinigt werden.With the method described above, for example, a partial area of the inner wall of a vulcanization mold, in particular a partial area having a valve or a region which is difficult to access, can be cleaned.

Obwohl spezifische Ausführungsformen hierin dargestellt und beschrieben wurden, ist für den Fachmann auf dem Gebiet zu erkennen, dass die gezeigten und beschriebenen spezifischen Ausführungsformen gegen eine Vielfalt von alternativen und/oder äquivalenten Implementierungen ausgetauscht werden können, ohne vom Schutzbereich der vorliegenden Erfindung abzuweichen. Diese Anmeldung soll jegliche Anpassungen oder Veränderungen der hierin erörterten spezifischen Ausführungsformen abdecken. Daher ist vorgesehen, dass diese Erfindung nur durch die Ansprüche und deren Äquivalente begrenzt ist.While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the specific embodiments shown and described may be substituted for a variety of alternative and / or equivalent implementations without departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or modifications of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims (5)

  1. Device for cleaning vulcanization moulds for tyres by means of dry ice, with:
    a holding arm (10; 210);
    a holding body (20; 220), which is connected to the holding arm (10; 210) ;
    a first cleaning unit (30; 230), which is connected to the holding body (20; 220);
    a first spray nozzle (31; 231), which is connected to the first cleaning unit (30; 230);
    a second cleaning unit (40; 240), which is connected to the holding body (20; 220); and
    a second spray nozzle (41; 241), which is connected to the second cleaning unit (40; 240),
    characterized by
    a first rail (245), to which the first cleaning unit (30; 230) is attached linearly movably along the first rail (295), and
    a second rail (250), to which the second cleaning unit (40; 240) is attached linearly movably along the second rail (250), wherein
    the first rail (245) and the second rail (250) respectively extend along an x axis of a system of x-y-z coordinates defined by the holding body (220; 220).
  2. Device according to Claim 1, also with:
    a third rail (255) and a fourth rail (260) arranged parallel thereto, wherein the first rail (245) and the second rail (250) are respectively attached to the third rail (255) and to the fourth rail (260) in such a way that they are linearly movable along the direction of the third rail (255) and the fourth rail (260), wherein the third rail (255) and the fourth rail (260) respectively extend along a y axis of the system of x-y-z coordinates and are fixedly attached to the holding body (20; 220).
  3. Device according to either of Claims 1 and 2, in which the first cleaning unit (30; 230) and the second cleaning unit (40; 240) are connected to the holding body (20; 220) in such a way that they perform a coordinated rotating movement about a main axis of the holding body (20; 220), wherein in particular
    the coordinated rotating movement takes place in an x-y plane of a system of x-y-z coordinates defined by the holding body (20; 220).
  4. Device according to Claim 3, in which the holding body (20; 220) includes a ring and the plane defined by the ring forms the x-y plane of the system of x-y-z coordinates.
  5. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the first spray nozzle (31; 231) is pivotably attached to the first cleaning unit (30; 230), and
    the second spray nozzle (41; 241) is pivotably attached to the second cleaning unit (40; 240), wherein in particular the pivotability of each of the two spray nozzles (31, 41; 231, 241) takes place about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the spray nozzle.
EP13179265.7A 2012-08-07 2013-08-05 Device for cleaning vulcanisation moulds Not-in-force EP2695728B1 (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102012107225.6A DE102012107225A1 (en) 2012-08-07 2012-08-07 Apparatus and method for cleaning vulcanization molds

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EP2695728B1 true EP2695728B1 (en) 2016-05-04

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JP5835400B2 (en) * 2014-05-09 2015-12-24 横浜ゴム株式会社 Mold cleaning system
WO2016105304A1 (en) * 2014-12-25 2016-06-30 Lang Yuzer Otomotiv Yan Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi Transport mechanism for a cleaning system of a tyre mould
WO2016175711A2 (en) * 2015-04-30 2016-11-03 Keymical 2 Rsm S.R.L. Automatic apparatus for in-line cleaning of moulds for tyres
JP6590010B2 (en) * 2018-02-09 2019-10-16 横浜ゴム株式会社 Vulcanizing mold cleaning apparatus and method
DE102019215745B4 (en) * 2019-10-14 2022-03-03 Festo Se & Co. Kg processing facility
DE102020200467A1 (en) * 2020-01-16 2021-07-22 Continental Reifen Deutschland Gmbh Cleaning system and cleaning process
CN116373177B (en) * 2023-04-06 2023-09-29 苏州艾思兰光电有限公司 Laser mould washing machine

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DE19712513B4 (en) * 1997-03-25 2005-05-04 Air Liquide Gmbh Method and device for cleaning an inner wall of a mold by means of dry ice
DE19830397A1 (en) * 1998-07-08 2000-01-20 Diw Instandhaltung Gmbh Device and method for cleaning vulcanization molds

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107530992A (en) * 2014-12-25 2018-01-02 朗于泽尔汽车供应工业与贸易有限责任公司 Clean robot for tyre vulcanized mould

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